NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA and its players' union completed the long-form version of the league's collective bargaining agreement on Friday, two months after the sides came to terms on the transformative deal.
The new CBA, which runs through 2032, resulted in the first million-dollar players in league history as salaries increased nearly fivefold from the previous contract. In all, 31 players will earn over $1 million this season, with a few — including four-time MVP A’ja Wilson — making the maximum of $1.4 million. The deal also includes the first comprehensive revenue-sharing model in women's professional sports.
Another provision that the union negotiated was to give a one-time veteran recognition payout to retired players based on years of service. In the final version of the CBA, any retired player who has won the league’s MVP award would get bumped up to the maximum payment of $100,000 that was designated for players with 12 years or more of service, according to a person familiar with the document. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the CBA hadn't been made public.
Elena Delle Donne, a two-time MVP, played 10 years before retiring so she would receive the veteran benefit. She had been in line to receive $50,000. Other MVPs who will receive the extra benefit include Cynthia Cooper, Yolanda Griffith and Maya Moore.
The sides came to an agreement on a term sheet on March 19 after eight days of in-person negotiations. The players ratified the deal four days later and the WNBA Board of Governors a day after that.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
FILE - WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert speaks before the WNBA basketball draft, on April 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith, File)
NEW YORK (AP) — Gerrit Cole pitched six scoreless innings in his return from elbow ligament replacement surgery but shortstop José Caballero's error led to a four-run eighth inning that boosted the Tampa Bay Rays over the New York Yankees 4-2 on Friday night for their 16th win in 19 games.
Austin Wells homered for the first time since April 28, a fifth-inning drive off Nick Martinez, before Tampa Bay rallied to deal the Yankees their third straight loss and 10th in 14 games. The Rays, a big league-best 34-15, are 4-0 against the Yankees and opened a 5 1/2-game AL East lead over New York
Yankees star Aaron Judge went 0 for 4 with a game-ending flyout to the center-field warning track with a man on and is in 1-for-24 slide that dropped his average to .245. Judge has gone a career-high 11 games without any RBIs.
A 35-year-old right-hander who had surgery in March 2025, Cole allowed two hits and three walks while striking out two. The six-time All-Star and the 2023 AL Cy Young Award averaged 96.1 mph with his four-seam fastball.
Caballero, back at shortstop after missing 10 days with a broken finger, allowed Chandler Simpson's one-hopper to bounce off his glove leading of the eighth.
Junior Caminero singled off Tim Hill (0-2), Jonathan Aranda followed with an RBI double and Yandy Díaz was intentionally walked. Richie Palacios hit a comebacker that could have been a 1-2-3 double play but the ball bounced off the glove of a leaping Hill, over Caballero and into center for a two-run single. Ryan Vilade added a sacrifice fly.
Ian Seymour (3-0) allowed Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s RBI triple in the eighth and Bryan Baker got three outs for his 14th save in 17 chances.
Tampa Bay’s Jonny DeLuca hurt his right hamstring while running to first on a seventh-inning single, then left after having trouble going from first to third on Cedric Mullins’ double. Rays manager Kevin Cash said DeLuca likely will be put on the injured list — the outfielder didn't play for the Rays after Aug. 6 last year because of left hamstring injury.
Trent Grisham, who missed Thursday's game because of a sore knee, had three hits for the Yankees.
Yankees RHP Ryan Weathers (2-, 3.58) and Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen (4-1, 3.19) were scheduled to start Saturday.
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Shirtless fans of the New York Yankees react during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Friday, May 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda, right, reacts after hitting an RBI double during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, May 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Yankees' Austin Wells hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Friday, May 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Friday, May 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Tampa Bay Rays' Richie Palacios, right, hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, May 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Tampa Bay Rays' Jonathan Aranda, right, hits an RBI double during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Friday, May 22, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
